It's been a while since I have fired up the old blog machine but since I just recently graduated from the Illinois Media School and have begun pounding the pavement for a job, it has come to my attention that I will probably be forced to blog at some point for the radio station I find myself working for.
Also, because I consider myself a straight shooter, I can tell you right now that chances are I will more than likely piss off somebody, make you laugh your ass off, or really make you dig deep and think about what Im saying here.
Now look, I am not trying to change your opinion on the "Stage Racing" or "Monster Girls" but I do want you realize that the next time you hit "POST" or "TWEET" that you are doing a lot more than voicing your opinion for something you claim to love.
Social Media is the biggest tool in America right now, whether it be Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, you name it. Believe it or not, what you post has a reaction on the way other people perceive things. That was pretty much a long disclaimer to what my actual story is but your still with me, so thats good.
NASCAR fans have always been a tight knit and loyal. Chances are, if you have ever been to a race, you have more than likely wonder up to a total strangers tailgate or campground and found yourself in conversation while sucking down a Coors Light (Official Beer of NASCAR) or a Coca-Cola (Official Soft Drink of NASCAR). Some talk racing while others talk life but you more than likely talked about how awesome it was to be at the race track in person.
I still remember my first race... 1998 Coca-Cola 300 NASCAR Busch Series race that Dale Earnhardt Jr. won, claiming his first checkered flag. Me and my dad sat in row three coming off of turn four and couldn't even see the cars down the backstretch but that didn't matter, cause it was so awesome being there in person and smelling the fumes, seeing the cars, being around a live NASCAR crowd for the first time was what made me a fan for life.
Yes, I get it, NASCAR has made a overhaul on a lot of things over the last twenty years but I still get giddy every raceday I get to experience in person and I have experienced a lot. From the stands, the infield, and even working in the pits, because I love racing and social media didn't tell me I shouldn't love racing when I fell in love.
What? How does social media effect what you like and what you don't? Believe me, it's 2017 and it does in so many ways. Social Media has become the outlet for everything online and NASCAR capitalized on this boom in a big way with jeffgluck.com's very own, Jeff Gluck hosting "Tweet Ups" for fans to interact with each other and meet some cool people such as drivers, owners, and spotters. Drivers voicing their displeasure with calls in 180 characters or less and even attracting people to figure out why #FOHQT500 was trendy. That's the good stuff when it come to social media and how fans can interact.
Shall we get the bad now? This is a screen shot I took of the comments under a post made by the NASCAR fan page which I will go ahead and add isn't ran by Brian France for all of you who think it is...
So much negativity on here but did you notice that middle comment?
"NASCAR fans are CRUEL and BULLIES" but thats not the NASCAR fan I mentioned earlier? Those aren't the ones that showed me what to look out for my first race? Nope, those are the ones who became self entitled because they had their voices heard on a rule change to make double-file restarts the norm in back in 2009. Soon after that, every change that NASCAR has made (most for a better product) has been scrutinized because Brian France doesn't call up Jethro and ask for his input. Is the GM of your favorite team gonna call and ask if it's cool to trade your favorite player? I don't think so!
NASCAR is trying to bring in new fans and the "I've been a fan since Yarborough and Allison" guys need to do us a favor and shout the hell up. If I was a brand new fan, I would literally not watch based on what I see on social media because all I see is a bunch of negative Nancys.
So the next time you want to take to the NASCAR social media, just remember that Monster Energy bought into this when nobody else would so it would be who of you to give them a bit of support. Stage racing will be awesome once NASCAR gets a full season under their belts, and you guys are digging deep to be mad at the five minute clock. Also, while I may not be effected by your negative opinion, there is a new fan who will more than likely be turned away cause your a keyboard warrior!
Make sure you follow Jason on Twitter: @JasonCarter03
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